Two interviewed for treasurer, finance director

Thursday

Mar 21, 2013 at 10:51 AM

FAIRHAVEN — Two finalists were interviewed for the position of treasurer/finance director at the selectmen's meeting March 18. Wendy L. Graves and Joseph DiVito were there for their third interview after two conducted in closed sessions.

Peggy Aulisio

FAIRHAVEN — Two finalists were interviewed for the position of treasurer/finance director at the selectmen's meeting March 18. Wendy L. Graves and Joseph DiVito were there for their third interview after two conducted in closed sessions.

Both candidates said they are willing to accept a job in the $78,000 to $85,000 range advertised.

Ms. Graves has experience as treasurer/collector in Taunton and as treasurer in Princeton and Millbury. She called herself a "good gatekeeper."

Ms. Graves was more succinct in her answers than Mr. DiVito, but she said she would "hit the ground running" and catch up on anything that's lapsed since John Nunes left the position last year.

She said she would prevent huge financial errors from occurring. She also said she would work on implementing the suggestions in the Department of Revenue study of Fairhaven's town government.

Asked if she has experience with bond borrowing for large municipal projects, she said, "i've done a lot of borrowing," for school and water/sewer projects.

Mr. DiVito has worked previously as treasurer/collector in Hull and Cohasset and was assistant to the town manager in Watertown. He currently owns a bakery and cafe and Joseph A. DiVito Inc. Mr. DiVito said he has 20 years of experience as an assessor.

Mr. DiVito said he was aware of problems discovered recently involving Building Inspector Wayne Fostin who was paid as conservation agent for 52 weeks when he is only supposed to be paid for 47 weeks, not for his five weeks of vacation.

Mr. DiVito said he will put controls in place and be extra vigilant. He said he likes to work on budgets and that he would ensure constant monitoring of payroll and receivables. He said he doesn't have a big ego and "will know the town inside and out a year from now."

Both candidates said they would not let department heads bypass state laws on bidding for items like a fire apparatus, even if described as an emergency.

They also said there shouldn't be any problem with getting the school system's payroll in sync with the municipal government's.

Selectmen said they will make a decision next week after discussing salary and benefits with each candidate to make sure no one will push for more of either after being hired. They said they wanted to avoid what happened with a choice for another position who began seeking more money and benefits than offered.

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